Five things to do this week: Aug. 27-Sept. 2

1. Salty while still being sweet, Asian-American rap parody trio Notorious MSG will be among the musical attractions at TELUS TAIWANfest, a celebration of the film, music, dance and food of the island that includes a demo by the world beef noodle champion, a dumpling seminar and a performance by popular Taiwan export The Chairman Band. Aug. 26 to 28. Harbourfront Centre, 235 Queens Quay W. Free; harbourfrontcentre.com.

2. A Canadian art collective with international pedigree and influence gets its due with Haute Culture: General Idea — A Retrospective, 1969-1994, a show that includes 336 works curated by Paris-based Frédéric Bonnet — a truly comprehensive walk through the social sabre-rattling artworks of AA Bronson, Felix Partz and Jorge Zontal. Through Jan. 1, 2012. Art Gallery of Ontario, 317 Dundas St. W. $19.50; ago.net.

3. Classic rock will be paired with haute cuisine as Jamie Kennedy’s Gilead Bistro hosts Kenapalooza, a Corktown block party where mingling great beer, wine and food while listening to a Led Zeppelin cover band is how they honour Gilead production chef Ken Steele. Local restos Oyster Boy and Queen Margherita Pizza will be along for the magic carpet ride, too. Aug. 28, 3 p.m.-8 p.m. 4 Gilead Pl. $10; jamiekennedy.ca.

4. Lovers of Lego, model trains and tilt-shift lens photography will delight in the artwork of local upstart Alex McLeod, whose collection of fantastical 3D digital worlds, dubbed Distant Secrets, invites the viewer to both lose themselves and act as God over miniature realms that almost seem to burst through their frames. Through Sept. 24. Angell Gallery, 12 Ossington Ave. Free; angellgallery.com.

5. You can go to the Canadian National Exhibition for the deep-fried butter, pizza on a stick and Tiny Tom doughnuts, or to ride the classic midway Zipper or the new Ferris wheel, or to check out top Food Network talent such as Duff Goldman and David Adjey onstage, or for the horse show, rib fest or a Marilyn Monroe photo exhibit — but all of that is but a small taste of the magic at this year’s Ex. So go on, beat the crowds this weekend. Through Sept. 5. Exhibition Place. $16; theex.com.